Shoe form



p 9, 1930. A. G. LEGGE 1,775,106

SHOE FORM Filed Feb. 3, 1927 f 16 20 21 1 L15". mum mm mm IIIIIEIIllIi 172 pen for By haw /MM 1,5 anism is arranged to Patented Sept. 9, 1930 ALFRED G. LEGGE, OF BBOCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS SHOE FOB]! Application filed February 3, 1927. Serial F0. 165,584.

This invention relates to shoe forms for maintaining boots or shoes in shape for purposes of display or to keep the boot or shoe in proper form when not being worn. It is the object of the invention to provide a shoe form which is of simple construction and may be manufactured economically and yet which may be readily inserted in a shoe in suitable position to keep the shoe properly n distended. I a

In accordance with the invention, a shoe form is provided having flexible side portions which are connected by a mechanism adapted to movethem to enga e the shoe. The mechbe operated, preferably, by a yielding force to move the toe part of the form forward into the toe of the shoe.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in congo junction with the accompanying drawings;

in which,-

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a shoe with a device embodying the invention 4 positioned therein. v '25 Fig. 2 is a' view looking from the bottom of the device showing it contracted forinsertion within a shoe; and Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the form completely extended. I 0 In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing a shoe form embodying the invention is shown in position within a shoe 10. This devicemay comprise a toe part 11 constructed of any suitable material, referably of sheet material such as celluloi having inturned bottom edges 12 and rovided with flexible or freely movable si e portions 13. Suitable mechanism is provided for connecting the flexible side portions 13 and for this pur- 40 pose, as illustrated, a toggle-connection is rovided comprisin links 14 and 15 pivotal- Fy connected to the exible side portions 13 by eyelets 17 A stifi yet flexible member 20 having a heel portion 21 of loop shape and a toe portion 22 is suitably connected to the as steel, which is secured to the toe portion 22 by an eyelet 24 and to the toggle by an eyelet 16. The member 20 may be constructed having a length greater than the length of the toggle by a link 23 of suitable material, such shoe in which it is used and may be made of any suitable flexible material but, preferably, is made of s ring steel so that it may be buckled to bring the heel portion in engagement with the heel of the shoe. The toe portion 22, preferably, is arranged so that some part of it engages thetoe part of the form and, preferably, to contact with tip of the toe part when the form is completely ex tended.

In using the shoe form ofthe invention the toe part 11 is inserted within the toe of the shoe and the flexible member 20 is buckled so as to bring the heel ortion 21 into en agement with the heel of the shoe. In so oing the toe part 11 is pushed forward by a yielding force into proper position within the toe of the shoe and at the same time the toggle, comprising the links 14 and 15, is actuated to move the flexible or freely movable side portions 13 of the shoe form into snug engagement with the interior of the shoe. In this manner a follow-up pressure is exerted at all times tending to actuate the tog 1e and keep the toe part of the form pushe forward in roper position within the toe of the shoe. is particularly advantageous when shoes are damp. When it is desired to remove the shoe form theflexible member 20 is withdrawn from contact with the heel of the shoe and moved rearwardly whereby the toggle is actuated to contract the flexible side portions 13 so that the shoe form may be easily withdrawn from the shoe.

The shoe form may be inserted readily within boots or shoes of various lengths and widths to bring the shoe form forward in proper contact within the tip of the toe of the shoe as well as in snug contact with the side portions adjacent the arch of the shoe. The improved shoe form is of simple and durable construction and may be manufactured at small cost. Its construction and operation is such that when properly inserted within aboot-or shoe one is assured that the form is extended at various points and suitably positioned within the shoe so as to keep it properly distended and maintain its form for purposes of display or when not being worn.

, extendin What I claim is: v In a shoe form, the combinationof a hollow flex1 le toe part having an inwardly flange at the bottom thereof, a toggle connecting 0 osite sides of said gart, a connection wit said toggle extending orwardly therefrom and freely movable into said toe part and having a toe portion adapted-to en age said toe part above said flange, and are atively stifi yet flexible member operatively connected with one of said members and having a heel ortion-adapted to engage the heel of the s oe to extend said toggle and urge said connection forwardly in-said toe part.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALFRED G. LEGGE. 

